Dog leash for use on bicycle

ABSTRACT

A compound leash adapted for use with a bicycle for holding a dog in check as a person simultaneously rides the bicycle and runs the animal. Made by a dog lover and bicycle rider so that he can take his dog for a safe and delightful experience. The leash allows the dog a wide degree of movement while keeping the animal and bicycle under control at all times. The leash comprises a flexible connector which can be mounted on the bicycle support frame below the rear axle of any bicycle, without use of tools, and a mast that extends outwardly and upwardly from the connector. The mast terminates outwardly in at least one strap attachable to the dog&#39;s collar or harness. The mast and connector, in combination, allow the dog tp range over an area extending from about 10 inches to about 3 feet perpendicular from the bicycle. and about two feet forward and aft of its rear axle. The unique mounting of the connector below the rear axle reduces the force from a harsh sidewise pull on the mast by the animal on tipping the bicycle. Further, to pull sidewise, the animal must lower its head which also reduces the tipping force the animal can exert on the bicycle. Simultaneously with mounting of the leash, it can be adjusted for the size of the animal to be tethered. The mast comprises at least one elbow and a straight section made from a plastic pipe connected to the means of clamping on the bicycle by a reinforced flexible hose that allows about 180 degree of movement of the mast at the connection location. All animals tested using the apparatus were found to quickly adapt to the leash.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The subject matter of this applicant filed was disclosed in U.S.Provisional Patent Application having Ser. No. 60/490,999 having afiling date of Jul. 30, 2003.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Taking a dog along for a run when one is riding a bicycle can be adelightful experience, for both the dog and the bicyclist. To enhancethis experience, the prior art offers a variety of dog leashes; butproblems with these devices—related to the comfort and safety of boththe rider and the dog—abound. Keeping the dog at a safe distance fromthe bicycle is one such problem. Another is keeping large animal undercontrol and the bicycle stable if the pet exhibits erratic behavior oflunges away from the bicycle. Moreover, with these earlier devices, thedog cannot run in view beside the rider the bicycle as needed tomaneuver past obstacles, such as those which arise when the pathnarrows. Rather the dog is kept behind the rider, out of the peripheralview, at all times. Further, most of these devices do not have do nothave any force limiting feature to protect the animal and rider. Anexception is a leash sold by Springer which includes a breakaway plasticlink. Not only must this link be replaced each time it is used but alsoits use releases the animal instead of holding him safety in check.

In addition to leading themselves to problems stemming from the dog'srunning position and occasional erratic behavior, the prior art devicesare time-consuming to install. Some of them require wheel removal andglue. Others are mounted high on the bicycle frame interfering with therider's ability to pedal and making the bicycle less stable. Stillothers utilize mounting structures which are not compatible with allbicycle frames.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of this invention is to provide a leash easilyattachable to a bicycle which its rider can use to keep a dog and thebicycle, in combination, under control at all times, while allowing theanimal to enjoy a wide range of movement so that he can run in viewbeside the rider and then even trail behind the bicycle as needed toavoid obstacles.

A further object of this invention is to provide a dog leash which, inuse, is attached to the bicycle in such a way that harsh side pulls bythe animal are applied to points on the bicycle unlikely to destabilizeand tip it.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a dog leash whichcan be quickly attached to the frame of any bicycle without removing ofany wheel and which, during installation, can be readily adjusted,according to the size of the dog to be tethered, so as to allow the dogto run comfortably and at the same time reduce the forces he can exertthrough a harsh sideways pull, thereby giving both the dog and thebicycle rider a safe and enjoyable adventure.

The apparatus is quickly and easily attached to any bicycle on an areacommon to all bicycle frames without the use of tools or glue. Thisinvention adjusts easily for animal size as it is installed. The ridecan select whether to and amount of force required to separate mastsections and release secondary leash extension.

The apparatus is attached to the frame of the bicycle on the rear wheelsupport frame in such a manner as to reduce the tipping forces from theanimal by applying these forces below the bicycle rear axle. In thepreferred embodiment, this distance below the axle was about 3 inches.The tipping forces from the animal are further reduced since the animalmust lower its head, reducing its pulling ability, for side pulls.

The animal wearing a standard dog collar or harness, is kept a safedistance from the bicycle and under control at all times. Features inthe apparatus design allow a degree of freedom to run comfortablywithout having a strong feedback even after a harsh pull by the bicycle.The leash has a very flexible coupling with the bicycle that allows upto 180 degrees of rotation in the forward and aft directions and over 90degrees of motion in the direction perpendicular to the bicycle. Thisflexibility greatly reduces the chance of injury to the animal even inthe event of a sudden stoppage such as the animal going around theopposite side of a tree or pole.

The apparatus is designed to keep the animal under control at all timesat a safe running distance from the bicycle. For example, this distanceis roughly from 10 inches to about 3 feet.

The apparatus comprises of lightweight hollow mast composed of pieceswhich are designed to keep the animal at a safe distance from thebicycle, but with sufficient flexibility to allow the animals a widedegree of freedom of position and maintain a comfortable controlledrunning pace. At the top end of the mast is a pair of straps, which addsto the freedom of motion for the animal running with the bicycle. Thesestraps can also be separated from the mast and used for walking theanimal. However, this leash also allows the rider to walk with theanimal attached to the bicycle.

The preferred embodiment has a central very elastic rubber secondarycord for when the leash is pulled sharply and the mast separates, therubber secondary cord still restrains the animal. This secondary cordprovides the animal approximately 3 feet of additional shock absorptionor stopping distance. However, this cord may also be made from aninelastic material.

The lower mast piece includes a clamp means that holds the apparatus tothe rear wheel frame support of the bicycle. This clamping meanstogether with the three mast pieces allows the flexibility to adapt theapparatus to nearly any size dog. The optimum adjustment is for the topof the mast to be about shoulder height to the animal.

The top mast also comprises a very flexible strap, which attaches to theanimals collar or harness that allows increased animals flexibility ofmotion. This strap can also be detached from the mast and usedseparately as a walking leash.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the improved dog leash according thepresent invention, the leash being shown with its distal ends mounted ona typical bicycle and attached to a dog's collar, respectively;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view, on an enlarged scale, of the dog leashaccording to FIG. !;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view, on a further enlarged scale, offragmentary portions of the leash according to FIG. 1 and of the bicycleframe supporting a rear axle to which a mounting structure situated atone end of the leash is clamped during use;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the dog leash according to FIG. 1;

FIGS. 5A and 5B are perspective views, on an enlarged scale, offragmentary portions of the leash according to FIG. 1, a safety releaseincluding a safety button and Velcro R fastener disposed between twosections of a mast in the leash being shown when the release is engagedand disengaged, respectively;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second flexible strap which, in theassembled leash according to FIG. 1, is disposed at the end thereofdistal from the mounting structure, the strap being shown separatelywhile in use to hold a dog in check;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the leash according to FIG. 1 in whichtwo sections of the mast, otherwise slip fitted together, are disengagedto facilitate packaging of the leash, the Velcro® fastener and itsattachments and an inner cord connecting the two sections are not shownfor ease of illustration; and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the improveddog leash in which contiguous sections of the mast are permanentlyaffixed to each other.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In the drawings and more particularly to FIG. 1, a leash according tothe present invention, which is indicated generally by the referencenumber 30, is mounted on a typical bicycle 50. A close-up of the leash30, prior to its installation, is shown in FIG. 2.

As illustrated on FIG. 3, the leash 30 is installed on the framesupporting the rear axle of the bicycle 50. Included in the leash 30 isa mounting structure having outer and inner clamp members 15 and 20(FIGS. 3 and 4). The mounting structure is clamped on the frame near therear axle without removing the rear wheel of the bicycle. The innerclamp member 20 is placed inside the frame with mounting bolts 19, 21pointing outwardly from the bicycle 50. Means for retaining the outerand inner clamp members 15 and 20 in assembled relation includes notonly the mounting bolts 19 and 21 but also nuts 22 which are preferablythreaded hand knobs. In the preferred embodiment, the shanks of bolts19, 20 are held, during installation, in a fixed position relative tothe inner clamp member 20 so that the nuts 22 can be easily turnedwithout turning the bolts. For example, the bolts 19 and 21 can becarriage bolts which engage suitably sized square holes defined by theinner clamp member 20. Pads 23 keep the clamp members 15, 20, which arepreferably fabricated from either aluminum or steel, from damaging thepaint on the bicycle 50.

In addition to the mounting structure, the leash 30 comprises alightweight, hollow mast, a formed angle member 16, and a reinforcedhose segment 14 (FIGS. 2-4). The angle member 16, like the clamp members15, 20, is preferably made from either aluminum or steel. The hosesegment 14 flexibly connects the mast to the mounting structure and tothe formed angle member 16. In the installed leash 30, ears on the outerclamp member 15 and on the angle member 16 are spaced apart from eachother and extend outwardly and generally parallel to the mounting bolt19 (FIGS. 3 and 4). While the clamp members 15, 20 are being mounted onthe bicycle frame, the threaded hand knobs 22 are kept loosely fitted onthe bolts 19, 21 until one end of the hose segment 14 can be snugglyslid onto the outwardly extending ears. Once the hose segment 14 isengaged by the ears, the lower end of the mast, like the longitudinalcenterline of the hose segment 14, is then disposed about 3 inches belowthe rear axle of the bicycle 50 (FIG. 1). Prior to tightening the handknobs 22 further, the user preferably rotates the mast so that its upperend is disposed at about the shoulder height of an animal 40 to beleashed. As the hand knobs 22 are subsequently tightened, clamping themounting structure to the bicycle frame, the tips of the ears movefurther apart and become wedged against the inner walls of the hosesegment 14.

The reinforced hose segment 14 is sufficiently flexible that it can bebent through an angle of about 180 degrees and, in combination with themast, allows the animal 40 freedom to move forward and aft from the rearaxle of the bicycle 50, as well as perpendicularly thereto. Preferably,the animal 40 can range over an area which extends at least 2 feetforward and aft from the rear axle and up to 3 feet perpendicular to thelongitudinal centerline of the bicycle 50. In the preferred embodiment,the reinforced hose segment 14 measures, by way of example, 6 inches inlength and has an inner diameter of ¾ inch.

Affixed to the reinforced hose segment 14 distal from the mountingstructure, the mast comprises a 90 degree elbow 13, a straight sectiontube section 10, and an upper mast element 7 to which is secured a firstflexible strap 5 (FIGS. 2, 4, 5A and 5B). One end of the elbow 13,which, like the section 10 and the element 7, is preferably made of ½inch plastic pipe, permanently attached with the use of glue or the liketo the hose segment 14. The other end of the elbow 13 is slip fittedinto a female connector to which the tube section 10 is also removablyattached. The latter can be locked into position relative to the femaleconnector with the use of a spring button 11 (FIG. 4). As illustrated inFIG. 7, this type of temporary locking mechanism allows for compactpackaging of the mast components. Alternately, when such compactpackaging is not desired, the elbow 13 and the tube section 10 can beglued together or otherwise fabricated as a single unitary piece.

The juncture between the straight tube section 10 and the upper mastelement 7 is formed when one end of the latter is slip fitted into thetube section. The user then has the option of engaging a spring clip 8in such a way as to lock the upper mast 7 and the tube section 10together (FIG. 4). However, if it is desired that the upper mast element7 and the tube section 10 be separated under a sharp pull on the strap5, then the spring clip 8 is not engaged; rather they are held togetherby their snug fit and optionally by Velcro® fastener 9 a and 9 b (FIGS.4, 5A, 5B). The fastener 9 a and 9 b produces a loud ripping sound whenthey are pulled apart, giving the bicycle rider an audible warning. Toinsure that an animal 40 is restrained even when the upper mast element7 is separated from the tube section 10, distal ends of a secondaryelastic cord 12 are affixed to the inner walls of the element 7 and toeither the section 10 or 13, respectively (FIGS. 4 and 5B).

The flexible strap 5 is secured with the use of fasteners 6 to the endof the upper mast element 7 distal from the tube section 10 (FIGS. 2, 4and 5A). Connected to the strap 5 by a latch 3 having detachable matingcomponents which are engaged by snap action or the like is a secondflexible strap 2 (FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 5A). The strap 2 terminates in aclip 1 which can be attached to a standard dog collar 4 or harness. Inthe preferred embodiment overall length of the assembled leash 30 fromthe mounting structure to the clip 1 is roughly 2 feet.

For ease of packaging as shown on FIG. 7. The tube section 10 can bedisconnected from the elbow 13; and the upper mast element 7disconnected from section 10. (However, if packing size is not criticalelbow 13 and the tube section 10 may be glued together fabricated as asingle, unitary piece as embodied in leash 60, (FIG. 8).

The leash 60, shown in FIG. 8, is a simplified version of the presentinvention, comprises an upper mast element 67 a fitting 64, and a mastlower section 63 which combines an elbow and a straight section. Thelower end of the mast is permanently attached to the reinforced hosesegment 14; and the latter, as in the case with the leash 30, is wedgedonto the ears of the outer clamp member 15 and the formed angle member16 when the nuts 22 are tightened, clamping the mounting structure onthe bicycle 50. Bent along an arc which subtends an angle of up to 90degrees, the upper mast element 67 is affixed to the fitting 64; and thelatter is likewise permanently attached to the upper end of the lowermast element 63. So attached, the mast elements 63 and 67 and thefitting 64 are aligned I such a way that they define a combinationwhich, in general, has the shape of an elongated “S”. In this alternateembodiment which lacks the secondary elastic cord 12 and relatedbreak-away features of the leash 30, the mast 60 can be fabricated ofeither a hollow or solid material. Suitable for use with a well trainedanimal 40, the mast 60 is substantially less costly to manufacture thanthe leash 30.

For use with the leash 30, 60 preferred animal commands—prefixed in eachinstance by the animal's name—include:

“Move”—to make the animal go.

“Wait”—to have the animal stop and wait for the next move command.

“Left”—to warn the animal you are making a left. (Repeat for leftU-turns)

“Right”—to warn the animal you are making a right. (Repeat for rightU-turns.)

“Heel”—to encourage the animal to run closer to you. (Use if animal istoo far to the side of the bicycle with an obstacle ahead.)

“Watch me or leave if”—to keep animal from being distracted. (Use whenother animals are present or obstacles are close.)

All animals tested to date were found to adapt quickly to the leashaccording to the present invention; and its use was enjoyable both forthe animals and the bike riders.

1. An apparatus for holding an animal in check, while the animal istethered to a bicycle, the bicycle frame supporting a rear wheel axle,which comprises: (a) a mast which, in use, extends outwardly andupwardly from points proximate with and downwardly of the rear wheelaxle; (b) a clamp removably attachable to the bicycle frame near therear wheel axle; and (c) means including a flexible coupling, forconnecting the mast to the clamp, the flexible coupling being stiffenough to control the animal yet sufficiently flexible to protect theanimal from sudden jerks on the mast.
 2. The apparatus, according toclaim 1, in which the clamp further comprises inner and outer clampmembers at least one threaded locking means, which can be tighten byhand, for retaining the inner and outer clamp members in assembledrelation, the inner and outer clamp members being positioned inside andoutside the frame, respectively, without need to remove the rear wheelof the bicycle or the use of any tools.
 3. The apparatus according toclaim 1, in which further comprises means, including a portion of themast disposed contiguous with the flexible coupling defining anapproximately 90 degree elbow, the end of the mast distal from theflexible coupling being movable forward and aft during assembly,relative to the junction between the flexible coupling and the mast, foradjusting the height of said distal end, so that, in use, the distal endcan be held generally level with the animal's shoulder.
 4. The apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the flexible coupling defines a generallycylindrical inside wall and wherein the means connecting the mast to theclamp further includes two angle members and at least one threadedlocking means for holding the angle members in assembled relation, eachangle member having a protruding ear which is disposed, in use,generally parallel with and downwardly of the rear wheel axle, the earsof the two angle members being slip fitted into the flexible coupling,the ears diverging and pressing against the inside wall when thethreaded locking means is tightened, locking one end of the flexiblecoupling in position below the rear wheel axle.
 5. The apparatusaccording to claim 1, in which the flexible coupling comprises areinforced hose segment which is sufficiently flexible to allow the endof the mast distal from this hose segment to move across an area whichextends substantially the length of the bicycle.
 6. The apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the mast comprises two hollow elongatedsections which, in use, are slipped together and which further comprisesa cord whose distal ends are affixed to the inside walls of theelongated sections, the cord connecting the elongated sections andextending therebetween whenever a sudden jerk applied to the mast eitherby the animal or the bicycle causes the elongated sections to separate.7. The apparatus according to claim 6, which further comprises a Velcro®fastener with a pair of lockable elements, one lockable element beingattached to each of the elongated sections, the lockable elements,during use, being engaged but separating when sufficient stress isapplied to the Velcro® fastener to shear apart the lockable elements. 8.An apparatus for holding an animal in check, while the animal istethered to a bicycle, the bicycle frame supporting a rear wheel axle,which comprises: (a) a mast which, in use, extends outwardly andupwardly from points proximate with and downwardly of the rear wheelaxle; (b) a clamp including at least one threaded locking means whichcan be tightened by hand, the clamp being attachable to the bicycleframe near the rear wheel axle; (c) means, including a rotatablefastener, for connecting the mast to the clamp, a portion of the maskdisposed contiguous with the rotatable fastener defining anapproximately 90 degree elbow, one leg of the elbow being aligned, inuse, along its longitudinal centerline generally parallel with therotational axis of the rear wheel axle, the end of the mast distal fromthe elbow being rotatable, as long as the locking means is only looselytightened, about said longitudinal centerline, so that the distal endcan be rotated into and then held in position generally level with theanimal's shoulder.
 9. The apparatus according to claim 8 in which theclamp further comprises inner and outer clamp members, the threadedlocking means retaining the inner and outer clamp members in assembledrelation, the inner and outer clamp members being positioned inside andoutside the frame, respectively, during use
 10. The apparatus accordingto claim
 9. wherein the rotatable fastener defines a generallycylindrical inside wall and wherein the means connecting the mast to theclamp further includes at least one angle member, the threaded lockingmeans holding the angle member in assembled relation with the outerclamp member, the angle member and the outer clamp member each having aprotruding ear which is disposed, in use, generally parallel to anddownwardly of the rear wheel axle, the ears of the angle member and theouter clamp being slip fitted into the rotatable fastener, the earsdiverging and pressing against the inside wall when the threaded lockingmeans is tightened, locking one end of the rotatable fastener inposition below the rear wheel axle.
 11. The apparatus according to claim8, wherein the rotatable fastener comprises a reinforced hose segmentwhich is sufficiently flexible to allow the end of the mast distal fromthe hose segment to move across an area which extends substantially thelength of the bicycle.
 12. The apparatus according to claim 8, whereinthe mast comprises two hollow, elongated sections which in use, are slipfitted together and which further comprises a cord whose distal ends areaffixed to the inside walls of the elongated sections, the cordconnected to the elongated sections and extending therebetween whenevera sudden jerk applied to the mast either by the animal or the bicyclecauses the elongated sections to separate,
 13. The apparatus accordingto claim 12, which further comprises at least Velcro® fastener with apair of lockable elements, one lockable element being attached to eachof the elongated sections, the lockable elements, during use, beingengaged but separating when sufficient stress is applied to the Velcro®fastener to shear apart the lockable elements.
 14. An apparatus fortethering an animal to a bicycle while allowing the animal a wide rangeof movement, the bicycle frame supporting a rear wheel axle, whichcomprises: (a) clamp means attachable toe the bicycle frame near therear wheel axle, a portion of the clamp means being disposed downwardlyof the rear wheel axle and extending outwardly and generally parallel toits rotational axis, (b) a mast which, in use, is secured to the animaland extends outwardly and upwardly from said portion, the clamp meansdirecting any force exerted on the bicycle through the mast to pointssituated downwardly of the rear wheel, so that as the animal pullssideways on the mast, the bicycle tends to tip away from the animal; and(c) a rotatable fastener connecting the mast to the clamp means is sucha way that the end of the mast distal from the clamp can be moved,during assembly, into a position which is generally level with theanimal's shoulder and then held in said position during use, so that theanimal must lower its head when pulling sideways, thereby reducing theanimal's pulling strength and ability to tip the bicycle by pulling onthe mast.
 15. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the rotatablefastener comprises a flexible coupling between the mast and said portionof the clamp means, the coupling being stiff enough to control theanimal yet sufficiently flexible to protect the animal against potentialinjuries to the animal from sudden jerks on the mast.